Chronic fatigue: These are the symptoms and the therapy

Chronic fatigue can be very distressing for those affected. Find out more about symptoms and therapy here – and also what has changed since Corona.

Chronic Fatigue – more than just tired

In particularly stressful times, after physical activity or after a phase of illness such as a corona infection, everyone is tired and exhausted. straight to wintertime we are lacking daylight also often sluggish. To some extent, this is normal and not a major concern.

But in some cases there may be more to it, including long or post-Covid. If sluggishness doesn’t improve even after adequate rest and recovery, chronic fatigue may be the cause. Here you can find out what causes it can have and how you can help yourself.

Chronic exhaustion: A diffuse symptom pattern

If, even after getting enough sleep and rest, you still feel like you’re completely exhausted and this condition persists, chronic fatigue (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS) could be to blame. the fatigue chronic exhaustion cannot be compared with “normal” tiredness – those affected are often downright incapacitated, as the medicine portal Netdoktor explains.

If several of the following symptoms, which are also listed by the Techniker Krankenkasse, persist for several weeks, you should definitely seek medical advice and report your suspicion:

• Persistent fatigue and tiredness that does not improve with sleep and rest
• sleep disorders and the feeling of not getting a restful sleep
• memory and concentration problems
• headache
• Diffuse pain, e.g Muscle achesflu-like pain in your neck or limbs, joint pain
• Cardiovascular problems
• Shortness of breath and rapid exhaustion when exercising
• Gastrointestinal problems and nausea
• Anxiety and depressed mood
• Rapid irritability and increased sensitivity to noise and bright light

If you suspect exhaustion syndrome, you can first contact your family doctor. After the first anamnesis, chronic exhaustion can often be associated with other clinical pictures. If an exhaustion syndrome is diagnosed, a multi-stage treatment combination of psychotherapy, pain therapy and movement therapy can be carried out.

Chronic fatigue as a side effect of other diseases

Fatigue is a big concept and can have many causes. When treating it, it is therefore important to rule out other diseases that can also lead to increased exhaustion.

Chronic metabolic diseases and hormone imbalances can lead to increased exhaustion, as the health portal of neurologists and psychiatrists explains online. These include:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Hashimoto
• hypothyroidism

It has been known since the corona pandemic that constant exhaustion can also be a long or post-Covid symptom. Therapies for this are under construction.

Mental stress or mental illness can also manifest itself in chronic exhaustion, as the German Depression Aid explains:

• depressions
• burnout

In rarer cases, a nutrient deficiency lead to extreme fatigue. Also tell your doctor to check your blood for the following deficiencies:

• iron deficiency
• Vitamin D deficiency

If you are diagnosed with another disease or imbalance, your doctor will suggest a suitable therapy for you.

Chronic Fatigue: What You Can Do About Itself

Chronic exhaustion is difficult to classify at first and an exact cause can often only be found after many visits to the doctor. To date, the clinical picture is vague and the medical assignment has not been clearly clarified, as reported by the mirror. The often lengthy process to recovery is not easy for many of those affected. The corona pandemic has attracted more attention to chronic fatigue syndrome, but research is still in its infancy and those affected often suffer greatly from the symptoms.

It is important that you pay more attention to yourself and your body during this time pay attention. Try to analyze yourself and your needs more precisely. Your findings can also be medically relevant.

A few tips that you can incorporate into your everyday life:

• routines: Try to incorporate routines into your everyday life. A regular one is particularly important here sleep rhythm. With as firm sleeping and waking phases as possible, you help your body to get into an even rhythm and to stabilize it.
• movement: Regular exercise is a good way to improve your well-being. yoga is a particularly gentle method to slowly get back on your feet. But beware: If you have been diagnosed with fatigue syndrome (CFS), exercise can even be counterproductive, especially in the beginning, as Netdoktor explains. Talk to your doctor about a suitable sport.
• periods of rest: Treat yourself to periods of rest, even if you may not have needed them that much before. Especially in the beginning it can be excessive stress and too little rest slow down treatment success.
• nutrition: Pay special attention to yours now nutrition. Eat as balanced and healthy as possible so that you don’t rob your body of additional energy with bad food. Take your time to cook and stick to fixed times if possible.

Read more on Utopia:

• Morning routine: 10 tips for a better start to the day
• Evening routine: 12 tips to help you sleep better
• Depressive Moods: How to Recognize and Overcome Them